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Local News

USD 407 BOE Considers Shaffer Complex Upgrades

Published on Wednesday, 25 June 2014 14:03

Written by David Elliott

Shaffer Football Field at Russell High School might look substantially different this coming football season as the USD 407 Board of Education gave tentative approval Wednesday at a special meeting for the installation of artificial turf.

Official approval was not given Wednesday because the Board and Superintendent Dave Couch requested further information in regards to how much the project will actually cost and how the district will pay for it. The Board will meet Friday morning at 8 AM to further discuss that and review a contract.

Kirk Grego of Mid-America Sports Construction, which is located in Lees Summit, Missouri, presented two field turf options to the Board at the meeting.

The turf installation is just one part of a three phase project to improve the football and baseball fields as well as the track. It is estimated the whole project will cost $1.5 million and just the football field will cost around $750,000.

Grego said it would be best to split the projects up and focus on getting the football field done before the fall season and then concentrate on the track next summer.

Board President Jerry Brown agrees and says while this project is separate from the ongoing facilities study, the public needs to know that a plan to improve district facilities is being formulated.

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Superintendent Couch says enough money for the project is in capital outlay, but he hopes to finance it without only the use of capital improvement funds.

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Board Member Jon Quinday agrees.

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Grego said the new turf field would have an eight-year warranty and a 10 to 12 year lifespan.

According to Couch, the district currently spends approximately $30,000 per year on football field maintenance.